CAAP Test Scoring

CAAP is an extremely popular test in
today’s times. The number of students taking the this test is
increasing with each progressive year. There are numerous colleges that
use the scores of this exam
because it offers them a flexible and effective form of evaluation.
This makes it clear that CAAP is an extremely useful test and scoring
well in it is acknowledged very well by colleges. With the
number of benefits that this assessment offers, it becomes essential to
score well in it. To carry on with it's preparation in the right
direction, it is essential to understand the scoring system and other
related aspects of the test.

Benefits of CAAP Scoring
CAAP is a standardized test which helps in assessing the proficiency of
candidates and effectiveness of postsecondary college programs. The
benefits of good scores in this test are listed below.

CAAP scores assist in measuring the performance of students and their readiness for higher level academic programs.

The test helps to compare students locally as well as nationally.

The
general performance of students in the test can be used to derive
conclusions about the effectiveness of educational programs of
independent colleges. Such information helps to identify institutional
weaknesses and get rid of them for the success of the educational
programs.

The
test results provide an insight into the capabilities and shortcomings
of the students. Hence, students can be guided about ways to overcome
their shortcomings and achieve success in academic programs of the
future.

CAAP Reporting CAAP reporting is a
comprehensive process. Along with the evaluation of students, the score
report makes it possible to use the result of the examination in
various ways. This is due to the following features of CCAP
reporting.

CAAP Standard Reporting Package
– This includes Institutional Summary Report, Student Score Report,
Certificates of Achievement and Student Roster Report. These reports
are issued after each administration of the test.

CAAP Linkage Reports
– These reports indicate the change in the mental abilities of students
after undertaking the general educational program of the college.

CAAP Content Analysis Report
– This report helps to identify explicitly the weaknesses and strengths
of the students in each content area of the test modules.

What does CAAP Student Score Report Contain?
The Student Score Report provides the following information:

Identification of the student

Background of the student

CAAP scores of the tests taken

Subscores of Writing Skills, Reading and Mathematics, if taken

Local percentile ranks for each test and subtest

National user sophomore percentile ranks

Along with this information, a CAAP Certificate of Achievement is
also received if the score obtained the student is above the national
mean score.

CAAP Test Scoring ProcedureMultiple Choice Tests Scoring Procedure - There are five modules of this test
with multiple choice questions. These are Reading, Writing Skills,
Mathematics, Critical Thinking and Science. Within a single module,
every question carries the same value. Therefore, there are no
questions within a single module which will be awarded more marks than
another question. Marks are awarded according to the number of
correct responses. Incorrect responses and questions left blank are
ignored. In other words, no marks are deducted for incorrectly answered
questions or for answers left blank.Scoring Scale Used - The scoring scale used for the multiple choice tests is from 40 to 80. For subtests, the scoring scale used is from 5 to 25. Subscores are provided for the following test modules.

Reading – Along with a composite score, 2 subscores are reported for this test. These are as follows.

Art/Literature (18 questions) that consist of passages of Prose Fiction and Humanities.

Social Studies/Science (18 questions) consisting of Social Studies and Science passages.

Writing Skills – There are two subscores
mentioned for Writing Skills along with a total score. The subscores
mentioned are for the following areas.

Usage/Mechanics (32 questions)

Rhetorical Skills (40 questions)

Mathematics – For the Mathematics
section also three scores are reported – a total score and two
subscores. The subscores are reported for the following areas.

Basic Algebra (17 questions)

College Algebra (18 questions)

Writing Essay Test Scoring Procedure - There
are two essays to be written in the Writing Essay Test Module. A
modified holistic scoring system is used to score each essay. Both
these essays are scored separately by two trained raters. Hence, four
scores are received for two essays. The scores given by the two raters
for a particular essay should either agree with each other or there
should be a difference of one point. Incase there is a larger
difference, then a third scorer is called in and suitable scores are
provided. Scoring Scale Used – A six-point scale
is used to score each essay, where 1 is the lowest score and 6 is the
highest possible score. Both the essays are scored on this scale and an
average of these scores forms the Composite Writing Essay score. The
following is a description of the level of writing represented by the
score received in this section.Upper-Range Papers

6 – Exceptional

5 - Superior

Mid-Range Papers

4 – Competent

3 – Adequate

Lower-Range Papers

2 – Weak

1 – Inadequate

Unratable Papers

0 – Not Ratable

Good CAAP Score Good scores in CAAP is
a symbol of accomplishment. It is a success in itself, which hints at a
positive and bright future. However, one must have clear ideas about
what good scores are and how they can be achieved although there is no
passing score. This helps students to set their goals during
preparation.
The
colleges have their own definitions regarding the scores that they
consider good, average or below average. According to the official
website, a score of 60 is considered as the mean score. A promising
student however exhibits a proficiency level of above the mean score.
Generally speaking, a score of 65 and above is considered good. A good
score is also decided by the corresponding percentile rank. If you want
to settle with one of the top colleges, you must score above the 90th
percentile. Students scoring an average or below average score
are however not complete losers. They can use their results to identify
their weaknesses. The diagnostic nature of CAAP makes it profitable for
such students to understand the areas in which they are incompetent.
Students must take this as a learning experience and get motivated to
improve their weaknesses to meet the level expected out of them.

Tips Gained from the CAAP Scoring Process
There is no way that a student can think of scoring well in CAAP without adequate preparation. The final score in this test
is a reflection of the efforts put in by students during the months of
preparation. A good understanding of the scoring system provides some
tips which can be used to enhance your performance in the test. Some
tips are mentioned below.

Make it a point to answer all questions
as there is no penalty for incorrect answers. Leaving a question blank
because you are not sure of the answer may not change your score.
However, if you guess the answer wisely, it might prove to help you
gain some extra points.

Attempt the easy questions first.
That makes you answer the questions that you know well in time.
Difficult questions do not have more weight in terms of marks. Hence,
there is no point in wasting time in pondering over the answers for
difficult questions.

The
answer sheets of the paper-and-pencil CAAP are scored by the computer.
This feature does not allow the students to make
any stray marks on the answer booklet. Moreover, the circles should be
filled neatly and clearly. You can use the question booklet for scratch
work if required.

Lastly
Any system of evaluation is bound to unnerve students. This is applicable
when one has to go through the scrutiny of a standardized exam.
However, the evaluation system of CAAP offers to assist students in
their academic advancement. Hence, it not only helps the
colleges by providing them with information of the proficiency levels
of candidates, but it also helps the students to introspect their
capabilities, with which they can improve their future prospects.